Cardiff University

Procurement Services, McKenzie House, 30-36 Newport Road

Cardiff

CF24 0DE

UK

Telephone: +44 2920879648

E-mail: Paynterjk@cardiff.ac.uk

NUTS: UKL

Internet address(es)

Main address: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/business/why-work-with-us/for-suppliers

Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0258

II.1.1) Title

Reference number: CU.786.JP

II.1.2) Main CPV code

38432000

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

The nanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler and nCounter Max combination is a novel cutting-edge technology which enables spatially resolved, digital characterisation of proteins or mRNA in tissue specimens, in highly multiplexed assays. The use of highly multiplexed assays combined with precise spatial information is leading to fundamental changes in how tissue samples are analysed within their 2D and 3D context. Importantly, the GeoMx also allows analysis of cultured cells and tissue as well as tissue sections, allowing modelling of in vitro interactions. As well as being integral to the GeoMX workflow, the nCounter can also be used as a powerful stand-alone single-cell analysis instrument.

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.1.7) Total value of the procurement

Value excluding VAT: 444 167.00  GBP

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition

Justification for selected award procedure:

The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive

Explanation:

The GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP)

is only available from NanoString Technologies, Inc.

The GeoMx DSP is a novel digital technology (proprietary

to NanoString) that is based on multiplexed measurement

of protein and nucleic acids and offers unparalleled levels of

precision coupled with the ability to quantify up to 96 proteins

and over 1000 RNA targets on a formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded

(FFPE) tissue section on a microscope slide.

In contrast to the sequential analysis of multi-target

immunohistochemistry (IHC) slides, the GeoMx DSP samples

all protein or RNA analytes on a single slide. This not only

shortens experiments and simplifies data analysis, but also

provides a higher multiplexing capacity (96 targets) all with

spatial context from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded

(FFPE) tissue sections.

Based on NanoString’s proprietary digital barcoding

technology, the GeoMx DSP platform measures local protein

levels, and can be combined with RNA expression, within

heterogeneous tissue samples. Combining both multiplexed

nucleic acid and protein on the same platform gives

researchers the ability to spatially resolve RNA when suitable

antibodies do not exist. The GeoMx DSP assay is performed on

the GeoMx DSP platform which includes imaging and fluidic

components to capture spatial context, and current nCounter®

or next-generation sequencing (NGS) instruments provide the

quantification.

Protein detection is enabled via primary antibodies which

are covalently attached via a UV photocleavable linker to

DNA indexing oligos. Following antigen retrieval, FFPE tissue

samples are stained with a multiplexed cocktail of labeled

antibodies, and DNA oligos are subsequently released by

UV light exposure across regions of interest. The liberated

DNA oligos are then hybridized to optical barcodes for

quantitation on an nCounter or NGS instrument. This

technique enables quantitative, multiplexed protein detection

up to 5.5 logs of dynamic range

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

NanoString Technologies

St. Marys Court, The Broadway

Amersham

HP70UT

UK

Telephone: +44 7468604366

NUTS: UK

The contractor is an SME: No

VI.4.1) Review body